Children Matter: Celebrating Their Place in the Church, Family, and Community [Paperback]

Scottie May (Author), Beth Posterski (Author), Catherine Stonehouse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2005

Children today are no longer expected to be seen and not heard, yet in many churches children are involved only in programs designated for them. Children Matter offers a full discussion of childrens spirituality and shows how the faith community can effectively nurture its youngest members. Speaking from their experience with childrens ministry in a range of Protestant traditions, the authors draw on the Bible, history, and psychology to lay good foundations for such ministry before discussing the specific content and contexts of faith formation. Finally, they provide wise and practical advice on putting together interesting programs without losing sight of their main purpose. Rather than focusing on innovative ways to use technology, Children Matter emphasizes relationships between people and encourages the church to welcome all children as valued participants in the people of God. It will challenge and refresh anyone invested in ministry with children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scottie May is assistant professor of Christian formation and ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.

Beth Posterski is professor emeritus of Christian education at Tyndale University College and Seminary, Toronto, Ontario.

Catherine Stonehouse is Orlean Bullard Beeson Professor of Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky.

Linda Cannell is director of the Ph.D. Educational Studies program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, and president of iComm Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (September 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802822282
• ISBN-13: 978-0802822284
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great ideas for refreshing pilgrimage of a child with God, January 8, 2006

By 

colossal "1stpal" (Spokane WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children Matter: Celebrating Their Place in the Church, Family, and Community (Paperback)

Although this book is written by a group of educators it is one of the best books I have ever read on children's spirituality and show us with many examples how the faith community can nurture its youngest members. Children Matter emphasized relationships between people and encourages the church to welcome all children as valued participants in the people of God.
A wide range of examples from the Protestant traditions and drawing on the Bible, history and psychology to lay good foundations. The examples were excellent and evualated with strengths and weaknesses for all ages from toddler through grade school. The evidence of teaching is learning; how the children respond, the questions they ask, the attitudes they demonstrate in actual behavior and the way they use Scripture to inform their lives and decisions.

A wide ranges of examples were given from ancient times to the present. The book was exciting in the responses from the children. Anyone who works with children would find this an excellent tool, it has a great bibliography, footnotes, scripture list ---you couldn't ask for more.
It left me with a great sense of hope and urgency to give our teachers and parents great tools.

Imagine the faith journey with children as a pilgrimage or dance with God. Explore the contexts in which children live, make an informed and animated commitment to nurture a vibrant faith in your churchs youngest members. Theory and practice are interwoven ---if your church cares that children matter this is the book for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing in-depth intro to children's ministry, July 21, 2009

By 

A. Moses (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Children Matter: Celebrating Their Place in the Church, Family, and Community (Paperback)

Everything I spent ten years learning about children's ministry, these authors have managed to boil down into a FANASTIC resource for church leaders and volunteers. This is an exceptional blending of theory and practice, covering both logistical and philosophical issues. If you want to read just one book about ministry to children, this is it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars useful tool, January 11, 2007

By 

Karen Cross "Church Educator" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Children Matter: Celebrating Their Place in the Church, Family, and Community (Paperback)

Children Matter is a useful tool for church education committees to read and study together. It provides a broad overview of the componants of educational programing in a parish setting. It introduces aspects of educational ministry that lay persons need to develop an understanding and articulation of today's approach.

I would also reccomend it for college and seminary introduction courses.

Karen Cross
Church Educator